Younger viewers — and those with short memories — may be surprised to discover that Breaking Bad's enormously talented, multiple Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston was once better known for his work in sitcoms, first in a recurring role in Seinfeld and then as the dad in Malcolm in the Middle. He returns to those comedy roots tonight in an episode that casts him as Ted's former boss — and instantly provides a compelling reason to watch a series that has otherwise seemed to be running on fumes. The show has landed one of our most gifted actors. Let's hope it makes proper use of him.

You get two new episodes of Bones this week, on two days. The first comes tonight, with an outing starring Nora Dunn as a rival author feuding with Brennan. The second arrives Friday, when the show moves to its new time slot. The move isn't particularly popular with fans, but they shouldn't panic just yet. Bones has proven its ability to succeed in a number of tough slots, and that kind of resilience usually serves a show well.

American Experience: JFK PBS, 9 ET/PT (times may vary)

If you watch only one special timed to the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, it should probably be this two-part, four-hour offering from American Experience, simply because it is from American Experience. Provenance matters.